Department
of Plant Pathology/ University of Agriculture Faisalabad

Subject

Plant Pathology

Abstract
Karnal bunt disease caused by (Tilletia indica) is sporadic in
nature. The fungus attacks the wheat crop in Feb. and March which
are the susceptible stages (booting stage) of the host. During the
survey it was estimated the disease is extending from north to south
Punjab that are hot and dry areas of the province. Epidemiological
studies revealed that range of minimum air temperature between
(11-16 oC), maximum air temperature (27-31 oC) and rainfall more
than (1.15 mm) during the vulnerable growth stages produced the
critical circumstances for the invasion of the fungus on the wheat
crop. Based upon the environmental conditions of two years data
combined stepwise regression indicated that all the employed
environmental factors explained 84 % of the in disease development,
Out of 200 germplasm lines/ varieties only 16 lines were highly
resistant and 9 were resistant. Protective spray of fungicides
(Dolomite and Shelter) reduced the disease 62 to 63 % respectively.